The beauty and personal care market continues to thrive, driven by innovation, evolving consumer priorities, and strong M&A momentum. From skincare to haircare, brands embracing science, personalisation, and inclusivity are leading the charge.
Key trends
- Consumers seek purposeful, science-backed products
- Wellness is now central to everyday beauty routines
- Sustainability and transparency are no longer optional, they’re expected
- Social platforms like TikTok increasingly shape trends and buying behaviour
- AI is enabling hyper-personalised beauty experiences
- Inclusivity plays a key role in building brand loyalty
- Male grooming continues to gain momentum and market share
Market outlook
Despite macroeconomic pressures, the beauty and personal care sector remains resilient and continues to attract strong investor interest. M&A activity is increasingly focused on digitally native, community-led brands that are backed by science and enjoy strong customer loyalty, particularly those addressing gaps in the market through innovation or inclusivity. Recent high-profile deals, such as e.l.f.'s acquisition of Rhode and L’Oréal’s purchase of Medik8, underscore differing strategies focused on cultural relevance and clinical credibility.
Subsector spotlights:
Skincare to haircare
Skincare and haircare continue to lead innovation within beauty and personal care. In skincare, the focus is on overall skin health, simplified routines, and SPF-led innovations, with consumers gravitating toward brands that offer clinical efficacy through fewer, high-performing products. In haircare, growth is driven by the ‘skinification’ trend, which emphasises scalp wellness and tailored care for diverse hair textures. Demand is also rising for premium at-home treatments and effective hair-loss solutions.
Our transactions
Not just numbers on a balance sheet, our transactions represent over 20 years’ commitment to our clients’ future. Helping them change the game. Even before it was ready to be changed.
Forming a strategic alliance to support the expansion of a skincare cosmetics brand
Adviser to SkinClinic’s sole shareholder on its sale to Nexxus Iberia
Strategic sale of reputable "free-from" skincare and health supplements brands to a new PE-backed health and personal care platform
Adviser to bMEDcare (Dermolin and Essential Organics) on its sale to Healthcare Brands Group
Investment to accelerate the leading Nordic provider of Korean beauty products
Adviser to the founders of GLOWiD on its minority sale to NEA Partners
Clearwater har rådgivet Nordic Beauty Company ved salget til Dayes Group
Rådgiver for Nordic Beauty Company ved salget til Dayes Group
Our consumer team
Thierry Falque-Pierrotin
Managing Partner +33 6 62 39 06 06 thierry.falque-pierrotin@clearwatercf.com Connect
Marie-Charlotte Bonnemay
Partner +33 7 86 21 72 49 marie-charlotte.bonnemay@clearwatercf.com Connect